Signal.



0. c. F. NIESGHANG-' SIGNAL.

APPLIUATION TILED SEPT. 1, 1911.

1 ,01 9 ,827. Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

' W/TNESSES: lW INI/ENVTOH A TTORNE Y COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH (20., WASHINGTON, B. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES C. F. NIESC-HANG, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

SIGNAL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. F. NIEs- CHANG, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Fort "Wayne, in

the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in signals, and the object thereof is the provision of a device to aid venders, of such merchandise as ice, to determine the quantity of ice or other merchandise desired by the customer without making inquiry.

The objectof this invention is accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device, and Fig. 2 is a side View of the upper portion of Fig. 1.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both views, and referring now to the same: A is a disk having a lower extension B to which is attached a supporting standard C. The disk is circular except for the extension B which extends beyond the radius of its upper portion. At the center of the disk is attached a signal plate D by means of a pivot E upon which the plate D is adapted to be turned. One end of the plate D projects beyond the marginal edge of the circular portion of the disk, the projecting portion being so formed as to be covered by the projection B of the disk when the projecting portion of the plate D is moved to its lowermost position. To the plate D is attached a secondary signal plate F by means of a pivot G upon which it is adapted to be turned. One end of the plate F is adapted to project beyond the outermost end of the plate D when in its extended position. The opposite end of plate F is shorter and narrower than the former end and when it is turned outward the entire plate becomes obscured from view, from the front of the device, by the plate D and disk A.

Horizontally across the center of the disk A is painted a stripe H in bright color, such as yellow as indicated at H, and the upper and lower portions of the disk adjoining the stripe are painted, or otherwise finished in a dark color, such as black, as indicated at I and J. Thus, the stripe is made to appear in sharp contrast with the remaining surface of the disk. The projecting portion of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 1, 1911.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

Serial No. 647,174.

the signal plate D is finished to contrast sharply in color with both the stripe on the disk and the coloring on its remaining surface. Such a color as red answering the purpose. The secondary signal plate F also is finished with a color to contrast with that of the plate D. Such a color as yellow answering the purpose.

Upon the disk A, at a point to one side of its vertical center and beneath the stripe H is placed an indicating member, such as 25; upon the same side of the disk, but above the stripe is placed another indicating number of greater denomination than the former number, such as 50; upon the opposite side of the disk, above the stripe is placed an indicating number exceeding either of the former numbers; and beneath the stripe upon the latter side of the disk is placed another indicating number exceeding in denomina tion the last named.

In using the device it is the intention that customers will be provided, each with one of the devices for use in the following manner: The device is to be set up upon its standard in a convenient place where it may readily be seen by the vendor from his vehicle, and the plates so turned upon their pivots as to indicate the amount of merchandise desired. For instance, should the customer desire 25 lbs. of ice the plate F would then be turned so as not to project beyond the plate D, and the plate D is turned so as to project from that portion of the disk upon which the indicating number 25 is placed. The vender will thereupon notice the relation of the projecting end of the plate D to the stripe H, and though he may be unable to distinguish the indicating number, he will be enabled to ascertain its denomination through his previous knowledge of the arrangement of the device. Should a greater amount of merchandise be desired, the plate D is turned to such positions as will indicate the corresponding amount wanted. Should a still greater amount of merchandise be desired than the indicating numbers upon the disk signify, the secondary signal plate F is turned so as to project beyond the plate D, thus indicating to the vender that an additional amount is desired to that indicated by the position of the plate D. For instance, such additional amount may be, by mutual understanding between the customer and the vender, to be 100 lbs. When no merchandise is desired consumer as to the amount of merchandise desired and, by adjusting the device at a convenient time so as to indicate the amount of merchandise desired, the customer avoids responding to inquiries of the vender.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the class described, a circular disk having upon its face a diametral stripe, and having an-eXt-ended portion; a signal plate pivotally supported at the center of the disk and With one of its ends projecting beyond the perimeter thereof; and a secondary signal plate pivoted to the former plate on the rear side thereof, one end of which projects beyond the outer end of the former plate When in extended position.

2. In a device of the class described, a disk having a suitable means of support; a signal plate pivoted to the disk, one end of which extends beyond the perimeter thereof; and a secondary signal plate attached to the former signal plate upon the back thereof and adapted to be shifted so that one p0rtion of its face Will become projected beyond the outer end of the former signal-plate.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES C. F. NIESCHANG.

Witnesses H. J. MlLLER, WV. G. BURNS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of lPatents, Washington, D. G. 

